Month: November 2015

A new post on a friend’s blog inspired me today to spend some time thinking purposefully about parenting. Of course, parenting is a thing I do constantly, and think about regularly. But, if I’m honest with myself, I’m mostly winging it and leaning on Grace to get me through each day. Relying on God’s grace works for me, but there is certainly plenty more room for a more intentionality.

So, to cut through the mental clutter and chaos of motherhood, I’m taking up my friend’s mantle and asking myself this: When I am at rest in Heaven, what do I most hope my children will remember about their childhood and adolescence with me? What marks are most important for me to make on their hearts? What do I hope my children will say after I’m gone?

Here’s what I’ve come up with so far:

They are certain that they were loved, wanted and valued sons and daughters, cherished as gifts from the Lord.

They saw me live in a way that showed people are more important than things.

They learned that love is a way we choose to behave toward others, not merely the fuzzy feelings we feel when we are with those we care about. Love never gives up and it always gives second chances.

They know that God has a unique and important purpose for each of them–and they can change the world.

They see the world as a place full of beauty, uniqueness and opportunity. There is something to learn from everyone.

I’m not 100% sure this is the final draft of this list, but it’s what came most naturally after thinking through what James and I tend to prioritize as we parent. Now, to hone the focus.

Today I will be telling you about mandrills.They live up to twenty five years in captivity and are thirty inches tall. Males weigh 50 to 75 pounds and females weigh 25 to 35 pounds.They are the largest species of monkeys and their name means man-ape.

I will first tell you where mandrills are found in the wild.They live in Central West Africa, but more specifically Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Congo. They live in tropical rain forests.

Some unique physical characteristics of mandrills are that they have an unusual face with blue stripes on the side and a right red nose. They have olive colored fur and their rumps are bright blue and red.

Mandrils live in large groups with one dominant male They stay m mostly on the group, but do climb trees. They store food in pouches in their cheeks like hamsters.

Some threats to the mandrills are humans ruining their habitat for farmland and the leopard hunting them for food. People also hunt them for food.

The following play is a scene of Jesus getting arrested because Judas betrays him. Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane. It is taken from John 18 and Matthew 26.

JESUS IS BETRAYED AND ARRESTED

(Judas entering with an cohort of Roman soldiers carrying swords and clubs)

JUDAS: The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him!

JUDAS: (kissing Jesus) Greetings, Rabbi.

JESUS: Whom do you seek?

SOLDIER: Jesus, the Nazarene.

JESUS: I am he.

Soldiers all draw back and fall to the ground.

JESUS: Whom do you seek?

SOLDIER: Jesus the Nazarene

JESUS: I told you I am He. Take me and let these men go their way. (pointing to his disciples)

JESUS: (to Judas, sorrowfully) Friend, do what you came to do.

Soldiers enter and lay hands on Jesus, seizing him.

SIMON PETER: (takes out sword and cuts off Malchus’ ear)

JESUS: (sternly) Put the sword back in its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels. But how then should the scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?

JESUS: (to Roman cohort) Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day, I sat in the temple teaching and you did not seize me, but all this has taken place that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.